.22 for a Newbie (teen) Shooter?

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Ringer

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My 14 year old daughter wants to learn how to shoot (finally...yes!). While both my girls have been educated on safety neither have ever expressed much interest and I haven't pushed it on them. Mom is not at all anti, but not exactly and enthusiast either so that hasn't helped.

Anyways sad to say I don't have any .22 caliber handguns. Have the long gun covered but she is most interested in handguns so I want to have both available to start her out on. So what are some good revolver options for a young, small handed shooter?

Thanks
 
Take her to the stores and see if she likes the looks of the Single Actions or the Double Actions. Then let her handle the ones she likes the best. Make sure the grip frame is not to large for her hands and the weight is not to great for her (there should be no growing into a firearm). Try to steer her away from anything with a barrel length less than 4 inches.
In other words let her shop. She will have more fun with what she likes. What you pick out may not be what she prefers, but she may not say anything because Daddy got it for her.
 
Good points Majic, and I plan to take her shopping. They seem to be a little scarce in shops around here so I'm trying to find a few (beforehand) that I can show her. I still wouldn't mind recomendations on particular guns to start looking at. What have other new shooters had good luck with? Any to steer away from for whatever reason?

Also, now that you mention shopping, she would probably pick a semi auto. Problem is she can't rack the slide on any of my pistols including airsoft. I'm really more comfortable with her learning on revolver first. She can use the 10/22 for semi auto fire.
 
I'd recommend a revolver rather than a semi-automatic pistol: the revolver's operation is somewhat simpler, with fewer moving parts and no safety, plus it's much more difficult to fire carelessly.

I'd seriously consider a used firearm. Shop around your local gun stores, but also think about the internet auction sites. You should be able to find a Smith & Wesson or Ruger in good condition for a reasonable price. All the Colt .22s have become collector's items, so their prices are likely to be unreasonable.
 
The beginners I have introduced, I used the ruger .22 autoloader. It is easy to operate, and easy to hit with, and confidence and fun is what the first few trips are all about. At least let her handle one, and get her input?
 
True - Ruger semi is just great but - there are IMO benefits to be obtained by starting the revo route.

Should be possible to find a used Smith or Ruger in .22 ...... perhaps the popular Single six - tho slow to load and unload - slow and steady shooting is IMO a good starting point. Builds confidence. Semi is next to graduate to - when familiarity with trigger control and sighting has been achieved - and then too probably, the ''mechanics'' of a semi will not seem too daunting.

14 is a great starting age - had my kids both thru .22's and even up to 38 spl about that time - pays dividends. :)
 
Probably the best deals and very good revolvers would be the Ruger Single Six and the Bearcat. They are single actions, but she may not care for the cowboy look. They are about the safest handguns to learn on.
Double action revolvers will most likely be more expensive, but the Taurus line of revolvers have some models that people seem to like at an affordable price. S&W has it's Kit guns that fits small hands and the K-frames (M17 and M18), but they can get to be pricey. Same thing with the Colt (there's no such thing as an affordable Colt now) PPT, all the Officer Models, both Troopers, and the Diamondback. You can find a Dan Wesson at a good price, but they tend to be a little heavy.
Look for a gunshow that will be nearby or plan a daytrip to one if possible. That will be a good way to have a chance of seeing a lot of the models both new and used.
 
even though its in the revolver thread, i'd say a ruger mk II or a 22/45. best buys for the money i think. also dont over look a smith n wesson 22a they are great deals for the money, but occasionally ammo finicky
 
For kids just learning I keep the semi-autos put up. The temptation to quickly pull that light trigger is a real situation with a kid (thank the movies and tv for that). That means concentration on the basics is broken for those shots. When they can demonstrate that they are capable shooters with a revolver then they are introduced to semi-autos. I have heard of others saying that the kid won't use a revolver. Well I can't think of a time where the student with no knowledge of a subject telling the teacher what to do. If they insist on using the semi-auto then tell them when they are old enough to buy one then they can learn their way. Most kids wanting to shoot will quickly give in.
 
I taught my boys to shoot with a Walther P-22. Good for small hands and great for practicing clearing drills (mine was a Jammomatic). If you get a good one it would be fine choice.

I recently bought a SS Bearcat and my boys love the cowboy look and feel of the gun. Being a single action I feel it is safer, and as a bonus they take their time with their shooting because it's much slower to unload and load. (Dad isn't loading mags for them!)

The Bearcat I have is quite accurate, more so than my P-22. I also have not had a failure to fire, load, or eject! (well, if you don't count the time I dropped the .22 shell in the mud.........)

One of the other things I enjoy is that you can shoot Aquila Super Colibri(sp?) .22's with the bearcat. They have no propellant other than the primer and send a 20 grain bullet at 345 fps. Very low recoil, very low noise, and they still will shatter a bottle nicely!

You can get the super colibri ammo at Natchez shooting supply.
 
Magic has some very good advice.

My indoor range has guns to rent. My membership makes it cheap. This has allowed my 12y.o. to try out various weapons for the cost of a box of ammo. I think we're going to find a used S&W .22lr. He likes the feel of that.

I like the rentals because he can shoot to improve skill and sometimes he can shoot to have some fun. Give him a Walther P-38, a box of rounds and a BadGuy target and he's set.

Whatever you do, enjoy the moment. This is one of those father/daughter moments you'll both remember.
 
I'm pretty well set on a revolver. She is not thrilled about the "cowboy" look though.

I saw an .22 SP101 with 4" barrel in a picture thread. I didn't realize they made such a thing. Add some wood finger groove grips...hmmm.

Good point on the rentals, need to find out what my range has in .22.

Thanks for the feedback, feel free to keep it coming :)
 
Yeah, Ruger's SP-101 .22 is a nice little gun. Smith still builds the K-22 Masterpiece with 4", 6" or 8-3/8" barrels too, but it's a little more expensive. Taurus builds one that looks a lot like a Smith 22/32 Kit Gun for less money. To my way of thinking, it would be worth it to spend a little more and buy your daughter a quality revolver in the first place - either a Ruger or a Smith. She'd probably want to hang onto it later on, even after she grows into autos or larger caliber handguns. I can't imagine not having a little .22 revolver or two around. They're just too handy and fun to be without.

Too bad your daughter doesn't care for the "cowboy" look. As far as I'm concerned, the Ruger Single-Six rules when it comes to quality and value. And the little Ruger Bearcat is sure cute. :)
 
Taurus makes a couple of .22lr that you can look at, probably run in the neighboorhood of $300 new. Also don't discount the .17hmr Taurus makes them in a variety of shapes and sizes, ammo is dirt cheap (in my neck of the woods) and is probably like firing a cap gun.
That said, the most important thing is for her to find the one that is most comfortable in her hands (reguardless of who makes it).
Definatly check out the rental route to start and take it from there.
Best of luck and let us know what she decides (and it really should be her decision)
 
I would also recommend a .22LR revolver over the semi-automatic pistol.
With that said, my favorite instructional weapon is a now discontinued
Smith & Wesson model 18, with a 4" barrel; or the same firms model 17
with a 6" barrel. Either of these will serve you well, and can often times
be found in LNIB condiiton as gun shows or on the web. Expect to pay
a "fair dollar" for either of these, but you won't be able to touch their
accuracy with any other revolver; except maybe a S&W 617.
 
22 pistol

My favorite 22cal pistol is in fact a Firestorm FS22. It's not too expensive ($229?), extremely accurate (for a plinker/trail pistol) and 100% reliable. It's the same pistol as the Bersa Thunder 380, except in 22cal.

The FS22 looks like a cross between the PP/PPK Walther's, but has adjustable sights, and extended tang to prevent slide bite. IMO a perfect first pistol for the young lady. If she likes it then later she can upgrade caliber to the 380cal version for self defense.

This line of pistols seem to fit small hands perfectly, and in my opinion are GREAT BARGAINS. The Bersa/Firestorm line of firearms are highly underated and have a loyal following. (www.bersatalk.com)

Check it out. You won't be sorry. This little pistol can serve many functions. It's not a dedicated "target pistol", but it is more accurate than most shooters at any reasonable distance. The FS22 can double as a small caliber self protection firearm if need be, and is pretty concealable.

Best Wishes.

:)
 
Ringer, Try going to Brown Bear sporting goods on Gratiot at about 21 mile rd. on the west side. Or Gander Mountain on Hall rd. They both have a good selection of 22 revo's


Nick
 
Hello Ringer.I would like to give you some info on the Taurus 94.I have the same thing in 22mag.The 941M.Size wise, it would be a great fit for a smaller hand and the weight is fine to.There are however, some NEGATIVE things that I would like to point out.The hammers on these guns are cut very short and stubby and many times my thumb wants to slide right off it while cocking the gun .I hold the gun with my right hand and use my left thumb to cock it and that helps alot but still I feel this is a big draw back ,especially when there are many other revolvers out there that are easy as butter to cock.The double action trigger pull is pretty hard as well.It is a shame to because other than that,it a pretty well made gun.I think a Smith and wesson K-22 would be a great choice . Good luck with your pick and I hope Your daughter enjoys shooting as much as We all do ..
 
As far as the Firestorm I have one in 9mm and agree they are a decent gun for the price. I'm really set on starting her out with a revolver though.

Thanks for the tip on Brown Bear although it would be quite a cruise for me. I may go to the Mt Clemens gun show end of month so could check it out then.

Looks like Ruger discontinued the 4" .22LR SP101, but maybe I can still find one. She has already handled my SP101 and likes it fairly well. Going to keep my eye out for an older Smith too.

Oh yeah, not only does she not like the "cowboy" look she doesn't like anything with wood grips. Says it reminds her of hunting and westerns of which neither she is in to. Are most of the Smith .22s K frames or what? Hopefully I can get hogues or some other grip for one if I run across one.
 
Hey Ringer, there is a very nice Smith and Wesson model 17-5 on Guns America for $300. Its seem to be a really nice clean one . You may want to go have a look .
 
Hmmmmm....if she doesn't like the looks of the Single Six (my first pick) then I'd go with a Smith & Wesson. One of the S&W's (I believe their 617) is the most accurate .22 revolver you can buy (short of a Freedom Arms, but we're back to the cowboy look again and a four digit price).
Good luck-
David
 
The M17 is a K-frame revolver. The Kit Guns were built on the I and J frames.
As she gains experience maybe she will develop the appreciation for fine wood stocks. Until then make her happy and put a set of Goodyears on it for her.
 
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